Sector briefing

Rail Opportunities
in Singapore

Why Singapore?
For Singapore to realise its aspirations to
become a thriving global city, its transport
infrastructure is critical. So far Singapore has
developed an excellent transport system with
good rail, road and bus links. The
infrastructure that it has developed is both
Singapore is modern and efficient.

The Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) forms the

backbone of Singapore’s rail network which
spans the island. The MRT initially opened in
1987, making it the second oldest in South
East Asia. Since opening, the MRT has been
expanded and is the key element of “To date the Singapore
Singapore’s transportation system. The
ridership for the MRT is currently 1.952m
government has spent over
passengers per day, as opposed to the bus S$13bn on developing the 138km
network which carries 3.085m. network. It is currently spending
another S$20bn on the Circle
Find general information on the Singapore’s
market conditions on UKTI’s website. [insert
Line, Downtown Line and Boon
link to country landing page]. The Doing Lay Extension) to expand the
Business Guide for Singapore gives an coverage by 50% to 215km...”
overview of Singapore’s economy, business
culture, potential opportunities and an
introduction to other relevant issue.

UK Trade & Investment Sector briefing: Rail opportunities in Singapore

Opportunities The Circle Line Stage 3 that connects Bishan on
the North-South Line and Serangoon station on
The announcements by the Singapore the NEL was opened for revenue service on 28
Government in 2008 to double the network May 2009. More stations on the Circle Line
present excellent opportunities for UK such as the Thomson and West Coast Stations
companies in the areas of Advanced will be opened subsequently to enhance the
Engineering Studies, Architectural / reach and connectivity of the Circle Line, and
Engineering Consultancy Contracts, allow more people to benefit from the MRT.
Electrical and Mechanical System Contracts
Construction Contracts. It will be operated by SMRT and Alstom is
providing the rolling stock. It is expected to
Land Transport Authority have 500,000 passengers per day.

The government authority responsible for road Downtown Line

and rail is Land Transport Authority (LTA). LTA
is a government agency under the Ministry of The Downtown Line (DTL) will be built in three
Transport. LTA is responsible for all land stages, with Stage 1 to be completed in 2013,
transportation projects and for delivering Stage 2 to be completed in 2015 and Stage 3
Singapore’s long term goal of a world class in 2016. When fully completed, the DTL will
transport infrastructure. enhance the connectivity of the Rapid Transit
System network and facilitates direct travel
from the northwestern and eastern areas of the
Current Network
island to the Central Business District and the
Marina Bay. The DTL is projected to see a daily
Currently there are 4 lines – North-South;
ridership of more than half a million when in
East-West, North-East, Circle Lines and 2 light
full operation.
rail systems. To date the Singapore
government has spent over S$13bn on
The Downtown Line is currently in its early
developing the 138km network. It is currently
stages of construction, the 40-kilometre
spending another S$20bn on the Circle Line, Downtown Line (DTL) will have 33 stations,
Downtown Line and Boon Lay Extension to connecting the north-western and eastern
expand the coverage by 50% to 215km. regions of Singapore to the new downtown at
Marina Bay and the CBD.
In early 2008 the Singapore government
announced many new projects to be developed DTL1 will be complete by 2013 and is 4.3km in
which will double the length of network to length with 6 stations. LTA announced S$1.2bn
278km and increase the density from today’s of projects in November 2008 – Westinghouse
level of 31km per million population to 51km Platform Screens and Doors of the UK won
per million population by 2020. This will make £124m.
it comparable to cities like London, New York,
and surpassing Hong Kong and Tokyo. Within DTL2 will be 16.6km in length with 12 stations
the central area, commuters will be able to and be completed by 2015.
access an RTS station within 400m or 5
minutes walk on average. For Downtown Line 3, all 3 architectural and
Engineering consultancy contract s have been
Circle Line awarded.

Costing $6.7 billion, the CCL will be a fully The operator for the Downtown Line has yet to
underground orbital line linking all radial lines be announced – tenders are due to be
leading to the city. The line will interchange submitted later in 2009 or early 2010. LTA has
with the North-South Line, East-West Line and mentioned that they are looking for other
North East Line. operators to bid besides SMRT and SBS.

The CCL will be 33.3 km long with 29 stations. Thomson Line

Starting from the Dhoby Ghaut station, it will
run through some of the busiest corridors in The next line to be delivered will be the
the city and end at HarbourFront station on the Thomson Line. The 27km, 18-station Thomson
North East Line. Line will run upwards from Marina Bay through

UK Trade & Investment Sector briefing: Rail opportunities in Singapore

Ang Mo Kio connecting Kim Seng, Thomson, stations with Housing and Development Board
Sin Ming and Kebun Baru –areas that do not Housing Estates.
currently have a direct MRT link. The project is
due to be completed by 2018. Opportunities for UK Companies
In summary, works to be producred are:
Tenders will be issued from Q1 2010 for - Advanced Engineering Studies
architectural and engineering and consultancy - Architectural / Engineering Consultancy
contracts with contracts awarded in Q2 2010. Contracts
- Electrical and Mechanical System Contracts
E&M Engineering Consultancy Services - Construction Contracts
contracts will be tendered from Q1 2010 with
awards made in Q2 2010. 10 Construction If you have any questions on the opportunities
tenders will be tendered in Q3 2011 with above, contact the UKTI contacts named in this
awards in Q2 2012. Electrical and Mechanical report. Business opportunities aimed
Systems Tenders will be released in Q1 2012 specifically at UK companies are added daily to
and awarded in Q4 2012. UKTI’s website. These leads are sourced by our
staff overseas in British Embassies, High
Eastern Regional Line Commissions and Consulates, across all sectors
and in over 100 markets.
The Eastern Regional Line (or ERL) will be
23km and 12 stations. ERL will branch out to You can be alerted to business opportunities on
the right – parallel to the East –West Line and a regular basis by registering on the UKTI
serve the residential estates of Tanjong Rhu, website. Find out more on UKTI’s business
Marine Parade, Siglap, Bedok South and Upper opportunities service on the UKTI website
East Coast. It will provide residents without
direct access to key employment centres in
CBD, Marina Bay and Changi areas. ERL will be
completed by 2020. Architecture & Engineering
Consultancy contracts will be tendered in Q2
2010 and awarded in Q3 2010. Construction
Tenders in will be tendered in Q1 2012 and
awarded Q3 2013. Mechanical Systems
Tenders will be released in Q4 2012 and
awarded in Q2 2013.

Extensions to North-South and East-West

Lines

In addition the north-south, east-west lines will

be extended. The north-south line will be
extended one-kilometre southwards beyond
Marina Bay station. The East-West line will be
extended by another 14 km into Tuas in the
west.

The Tuas Extension’s Construction tenders will

be issued in Q3 2010 and awarded in Q1 2011.

Rail Operators

The Singapore rail community is fairly small

with a few key players. The MRT lines are
operated by SMRT and SBS Transit on a
concession basis. The MRT currently has 79
operating stations and has ridership of 1.952m
passengers per day. The MRT is complemented
by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) that links MRT

UK Trade & Investment Sector briefing: Rail opportunities in Singapore

Major events and activities UKTI contacts
Rail Focus Asia Europe Neil Walker
Contact: Neil Walker Senior Trade & Investment Officer
Email: [email protected] British High Commission Singapore
Time: 25-26 May 2010 Tel: (65) 6424 4310
Email: [email protected]
World Urban Transport Conference www.ukti.gov.uk
Contact: Neil Walker
Email: [email protected] Sarah Croft
Time: 20-22 October 2010 First Secretary
British High Commission Singapore
Find full details of all events in this Tel: (65) 6424 4302
country and sector on the UKTI website. Email: [email protected]
New export events are added daily to the site www.ukti.gov.uk
and you can register to be alerted to them on a
daily, weekly or monthly basis

UKTI’s Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP)

provides grant support for eligible Small &
Medium Sized Enterprises (SME's) to attend
trade shows overseas. Find out more about
UKTI support for attendance at overseas
events

UK Trade & Investment Sector briefing: Rail opportunities in Singapore

Next steps -
How UKTI can help
• Arranging appointments
British companies wishing to develop their
• Organise seminars or other events for
business in the Singapore market are advised you to meet contacts and promote your
to undertake as much market research and company in the Chinese market
planning as possible in the UK. UKTI’s team in
Singapore, with its wide local knowledge and This work is available via our Overseas Market
experience, can provide a range of services to Introduction Service (OMIS) a chargeable
British-based companies wishing to grow their service which assists British-based companies
business in global markets. wishing to enter or expand their business in
overseas markets.
This can include:
• Provision of market information To find out more about commissioning this
• Validated lists of agents/distributors work, or accessing other UKTI services and
• Key market players or potential specialist advice, please visit the UKTI website
customers in the Chinese market
to find contact details for your local UKTI
• Establishment of interest of such
office.
contacts in working with you

Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this document is accurate, neither UK Trade &
Investment nor its parent Departments (the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, and the Foreign & Commonwealth
Office), accept liability for any errors, omissions or misleading statements, and no warranty is given or responsibility accepted
as to the standing of any individual, firm, company or other organisation mentioned.
Published 2010 by UK Trade & Investment.
Crown Copyright ©

UK Trade & Investment Sector briefing: Rail opportunities in Singapore